Support Services

RSA Support Services

Local RSAs provide support services designed to assist ex-servicemen and women in need, whether or not they are members of a Returned Services’ Association.
Each RSA appoints a Support Officer to co-ordinate these services and to give advice on the various community services available to ex-service personnel and their families.

How We help
RSA assistance ranges from monetary grants for those in financial difficulty, to help with practical tasks, visiting the sick, meals-on-wheels, and offering friendship and support in times of need.

Who We help
Help is available to all ex-servicemen and women, their spouses/partner, widows/widowers and dependants, whether or not they are members of an RSA.

Overseas Veterans
Help and contact details for overseas veterans now resident in New Zealand.

War Pensions and Allowances
War veterans and ex-servicemen and women may be entitled to a war pension and a range of allowances from the New Zealand Government.

Entitlements
The various war pensions and allowances are listed with contact details for the War Pensions Processing Unit.

How RSA can help
Assistance with making applications is available to members and non-members of RSA through the Pensions or Support Officers located at each local RSA.
RNZRSA Senior Advisory Officer is also able to assist.

The Mt. RSA Support Service is managed by our Support Officer Carol Guinness who has a wealth of Nursing experience including being a Cardiac Nurse Educator in 2011, and a Staff Nurse at Burstein House in Katikati for 12 years. Carol is also on the nursing team at Tauranga Hospital.

Carol has an abundance of knowledge regarding assistance and is always ready to listen to your concerns with empathy and confidentiality. Give her a call on 575 2385, or contact by email: carol@mtrsa.co.nz

We provide a wide range of assistance to all members of our club including:

War Pensions advice and assistance

Mobility equipment

financial assistance (conditions apply)

home & hospital visitors

advice on availability of community services

health advice

assistance with filling out forms

residential care advice

twice monthly cemetery visits (no charge)

bereavement support

And much more.

Poppy Day

For over 85 years Poppy Day has been an annual event usually held on the Friday before Anzac Day (25 April).
It is the most important fundraising appeal of the year for the RSA, providing funds specifically for the assistance of returned servicemen and women and their dependants in need.
On Poppy Day RSA volunteers throughout New Zealand offer red poppy buttonholes in exchange for donations to the RSA Support Fund.

Poppy Day Today

The annual Poppy Day Appeal embodies the core values of the RSA — remembrance and support.
It is the primary source of funds for the RSA’s extensive provision of support services to war veterans and the ex-service community, and Poppy Day has been an important part of remembrance in New Zealand for 90 years.
Poppy Day is usually observed on the Friday before Anzac Day (25 April). At this time RSA volunteers distribute hundreds of thousands of red poppies throughout New Zealand in exchange for generous donations from the public. The poppies are traditionally then worn on the left lapel for a few days, but especially on Anzac Day, to signify remembrance of the nation’s war dead and support for the valuable work of the RSA.